PA 6024 - Clinical Skills and Reasoning I

Credits: 4 Spring

This course is the first in a series of three courses designed to provide the physician assistant student with the essential skills needed to obtain a patient’s comprehensive medical history, perform a comprehensive physical examination, and perform clinical procedures within the scope of PA practice. Additionally, it introduces clinical reasoning principles and the effective gathering of patient information to guide diagnostic selection, differential and final diagnosis formulation, and treatment planning. Case based discussions among students will be moderated by faculty to develop clinical reasoning skills. Additional emphasis will be placed on written and verbal communication skills. Practice in the use of pertinent diagnostic equipment will be incorporated. Proper documentation of patient encounters will be practiced. Laboratory required.

Prerequisites: Admission to the Physician Associate Studies program.